Content about Organic food

June 7, 2013
Report: Target revs up grocery business

NEW YORK — Target has set its sights on consumers who want organic, natural products, with a new organic and natural store brand called Simply Balanced, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Target told the AP that it will begin to roll out drinks and snacks like corn chips on Sunday, June 9. According to the report, the line is an outgrowth of similar products within its existing Archer Farms store brand, which is positioned as a premium alternative to national name brands.

May 23, 2013
Campbell acquires Plum Organics

Campbell Soup Company has entered into an agreement to acquire Plum Organics, a provider of premium, organic foods and snacks that serve the nutritional needs of babies, toddlers and children.

CAMDEN, N.J. — Campbell Soup Company has entered into an agreement to acquire Plum Organics, a provider of premium, organic foods and snacks that serve the nutritional needs of babies, toddlers and children. 

The company is based in Emeryville, Calif. Plum is the No. 2 brand of organic baby food in the U.S. and is currently the No. 4 baby food brand overall. Baby food is an approximately $2 billion category in the United States. From 2010 to 2012, the premium and organic segments grew at an average annual rate of 43%.

April 26, 2013
Annie's names organic food exec new SVP, strategy

Annie's, a leading natural and organic food company, has appointed Ed Aaron to the newly created position of SVP of strategic planning and investor relations.

BERKELEY, Calif. — Annie's, a leading natural and organic food company, has appointed Ed Aaron to the newly created position of SVP of strategic planning and investor relations.
 

April 26, 2013
North American strengths buoys Electrolux Q1

Electrolux reported net sales decreased 2% to $25.3 million compared with the same period last year. On an organic basis, adjusted for acquisitions, divestments and changes in exchange rates, sales increased 3.8% compared with the same period last year.

Electrolux reported net sales decreased 2% to $25.3 million compared with the same period last year. On an organic basis, adjusted for acquisitions, divestments and changes in exchange rates, sales increased 3.8% compared with the same period last year.
 

April 5, 2013
Study: More Americans going organic

U.S. families are increasingly embracing organic products when they shop, according to a study conducted in mid-January by the Organic Trade Association.

WASHINGTON — U.S. families are increasingly embracing organic products when they shop, according to a study conducted in mid-January by the Organic Trade Association.

"More and more parents choose organic foods primarily because of their desire to provide healthful options for their children," said Christine Bushway, OTA's CEO and executive director.

April 2, 2013
A Whole Foods greenhouse grows in Brooklyn

Whole Foods Market has partnered with Gotham Greens to build the nation’s first commercial- scale greenhouse farm integrated within a supermarket.

NEW YORK -- Whole Foods Market has partnered with Gotham Greens to build the nation’s first commercial- scale greenhouse farm integrated within a supermarket. The 20,000-sq.-ft. greenhouse, which is currently under construction on the roof of the forthcoming Whole Foods Market store in Gowanus, Brooklyn, is scheduled to open in late 2013.

March 27, 2013
Sprouts Farmers Market comes to Houston area

Sprouts Farmers Market, an independent natural foods grocery store chain, opened its first Houston-area store today.

Houston — Sprouts Farmers Market, an independent natural foods grocery store chain, opened its first Houston-area store today.

The 25,300-sq.-ft. store opened at the southwest corner of Cinco Ranch Boulevard and Peek Road in Katy, Texas. The store will sell farm-fresh produce and thousands of natural, organic and mainstream food items at an affordable price point.

March 12, 2013
Hain Celestial supports GMO labeling

The Hain Celestial Group has confirmed its support of increased transparency in the labeling of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs).

MELVILLE, N.Y. — The Hain Celestial Group has confirmed its support of increased transparency in the labeling of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs).  

February 26, 2013
Eco lawn brand gets major distribution deal with Target

Target strengthened its sustainability rep recently with the addition of EcoScraps, a provider of organic, chemical- and manure-free lawn and garden products, to its lineup.

PROVO, Utah — Target strengthened its sustainability rep recently with the addition of EcoScraps, a provider of organic, chemical- and manure-free lawn and garden products, to its lineup. The sustainable, 100% organic, potting soil is now available at more than 1,700 Target stores nationwide. This marks the first time that EcoScraps will appear on the shelves of a major retailer at the national level.

November 20, 2012
Brands rule at Heinz

Strong sales of the top 15 brands at H.J. Heinz enabled the company to produce its 30th consecutive quarter of organic sales growth, the company announced Tuesday.

The company's top 15 brands collectively produced organic sales growth of 4.6%, led by Heinz, Quero, ABC, Classico, Golden Circle, Master and Ore-Ida brands. Global Ketchup delivered organic sales growth of 5% thanks to a strong performance in U.S., Brazil and Russia.

October 26, 2012
Whole Foods to buy six leases from Mass. family-owned grocery chain

Whole Foods Market has agreed to purchase six leases from Johnnie's Foodmaster, a family-owned grocery chain based in Chelsea, Massachusetts.

AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods Market has agreed to purchase six leases from Johnnie's Foodmaster, a family-owned grocery chain based in Chelsea, Massachusetts. The transaction is expected to close Nov. 30. Johnnie's Foodmaster will close all six locations prior to the closing date.

September 27, 2012
New e-commerce site dedicated to eco-friendly products

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The company behind Soap.com has debuted an online shopping destination for natural, organic and sustainable products.

September 25, 2012
Whole Foods earns green distinction

Whole Foods Market has received a 2012 Green Power Leadership Award for sustained excellence from the Environmental Protection Agency for its renewable energy purchase of 800 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) last year.

AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods Market has received a 2012 Green Power Leadership Award for sustained excellence from the Environmental Protection Agency for its renewable energy purchase of 800 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) last year.

In addition to its renewable energy purchases, Whole Foods Market is generating nearly 258,000 kWh annually with the use of on-site solar arrays. Whole Foods Market adds this most recent award to its three previous Green Power Partner of the Year and two Green Power Purchasing awards from the EPA.

August 23, 2012
Organic grocer 'Sprouts' new leadership

Sprouts Farmers Markets announced that Shon Boney, who has served as CEO since the company's founding in 2002, will assume the role of chairman of the board of Sprouts.

PHOENIX — Sprouts Farmers Markets announced that Shon Boney, who has served as CEO since the company's founding in 2002, will assume the role of chairman of the board of Sprouts. Long-time Sprouts president Doug Sanders will become president and CEO, whereby he will continue to be responsible for all day-to-day aspects of running the business.

According to the company, Boney is taking on the chairman role in order to spend more time with his family in Sand Diego.

August 1, 2012
PBS organics lesson brought to you by Whole Foods

Whole Foods is spreading the word on the benefits of consuming organic foods and leading a healthy lifestyle, by teaming up with educational media brand, PBS Kids to launch the "Fantastic Organic" campaign.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Whole Foods is spreading the word on the benefits of consuming organic foods and leading a healthy lifestyle, by teaming up with educational media brand, PBS Kids to launch the "Fantastic Organic" campaign.

May 3, 2012
Whole Food Q2 profit surges 31%; on track to open 24 to 27 stores

In what it called the best quarter in its 32-year history, Whole Foods Market’s second-quarter profit jumped nearly 31% on stronger sales.

AUSTIN, Texas — In what it called the best quarter in its 32-year history, Whole Foods Market’s second-quarter profit jumped nearly 31% on stronger sales. The company raised its full-year outlook on the results.

“Our exceptional results in the first half of the year have given us the confidence to significantly raise our guidance for the full year. We are confident that our sales momentum and operating disciplines will create continued positive results for our shareholders," Walter Robb, co-CEO said in a statement.

March 30, 2012
Whole Foods hooks sustainable seafood

Whole Foods Market is leading charge to promote the sale of sustainable seafood by becoming the first national grocer to stop selling red-rated seafood.

NEW YORK — Whole Foods Market is leading charge to promote the sale of sustainable seafood by becoming the first national grocer to stop selling red-rated seafood. The company announced that, beginning this Earth Day (April 22), it will no longer carry red-rated, wild-caught fish in its seafood departments. 

March 12, 2012
New competitor in natural foods Sprouts up

Sprouts Farmers Market, a Phoenix-based natural-foods supermarket chain, has reached an agreement to merge with competitor, Sunflower Farmers Market, based in Boulder, Col. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

NEW YORK — Sprouts Farmers Market, a Phoenix-based natural-foods supermarket chain, has reached an agreement to merge with competitor, Sunflower Farmers Market, based in Boulder, Col. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The combined company will operate 139 stores in eight states under the Sprouts banner, with annual sales of approximately $2 billion. It will open about 12 new stores this year.

“Our operations are very similar," said Sprouts president Doug Sanders, who will lead the combined supermarket company.

December 14, 2011
Whole Foods Market partners in energy-saving program

Whole Foods Market is partnering with EnergySmart Jobs and PECI on high-efficiency refrigeration retrofits.

SAN FRANCISCO  — Whole Foods Market is partnering with EnergySmart Jobs and PECI on high-efficiency refrigeration retrofits. EnergySmart Jobs works with supermarkets and other commercial retail businesses throughout California to lower their operating costs by reducing the amount of energy they use.

November 4, 2011
Whole Foods Q4 income surges 31%

Whole Foods Market reported that its fiscal fourth-quarter profit rose 31% to $75.5 million on higher sales, beating analysts' expectations.

AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods Market reported that its fiscal fourth-quarter profit rose 31% to $75.5 million on higher sales, beating analysts' expectations. But the company's outlook for next year's profit fell just short of what analysts forecast on average.

Revenue increased 12% to $2.35 billion.

July 29, 2011
Whole profits at Whole Foods in Q3

While the White House may be working with several retailers to combat so-called food deserts, those who can afford to spend more on their grocery bill are doing just that, helping to drive up profits at Whole Foods.

AUSTIN — While the White House may be working with several retailers to combat so-called food deserts, those who can afford to spend more on their grocery bill are doing just that, helping to drive up profits at Whole Foods.

The company reported that its third-quarter profit rose 35% to $88.5 million, compared with $65.7 million in the year-earlier period.

July 20, 2011
Poll finds consumers prefer organic foods

When given a choice, American consumers prefer to purchase organic foods, according to the Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. and WASHINGTON — When given a choice, American consumers prefer to purchase organic foods, according to the Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll. The survey found that 58% of Americans say they choose organic over conventionally produced foods when they have the opportunity, a number that spikes higher among both young and highly educated respondents. Sixty-three percent of respondents under the age of 35 prefer organic foods, as do 64% of those with a bachelor's degree or more.

July 5, 2011
Whole Foods Market to make Columbia, S.C., debut

Shopping center owner and developer Edens & Avant said Friday that Whole Foods Market will open a new store -- its third in South Carolina -- in the company’s Cross Hill Market retail center in Columbia, S.C.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Shopping center owner and developer Edens & Avant said Friday that Whole Foods Market will open a new store -- its third in South Carolina -- in the company’s Cross Hill Market retail center in Columbia, S.C.

The new store will be Whole Foods’ first in the capital city and will occupy approximately 37,876 sq. ft. in the 74,326-sq.-ft. development.

June 24, 2011
Whole Foods co-chief sets goal of 1,000 U.S. stores

Whole Foods Market co-CEO Walter Robb told investors at a Jefferies Global Consumer Conference that the now-300-store chain is expected to grow to 1,000 stores in the United States.

AUSTIN — Whole Foods Market co-CEO Walter Robb told investors at a Jefferies Global Consumer Conference that the now-300-store chain is expected to grow to 1,000 stores in the United States.

The organic grocer sees opportunity in Canada as well, and Robb said it expects to grow its store count there from six to 35.

June 9, 2011
Blake Nordstrom joins Whole Foods Market board

Whole Foods Market announced the addition of Blake W. Nordstrom to the company's board of directors, increasing the size of the board to 12 members. He will serve on the audit committee.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Whole Foods Market announced the addition of Blake W. Nordstrom to the company's board of directors, increasing the size of the board to 12 members. He will serve on the audit committee.

Nordstrom, 50, has been president of Nordstrom since 2000 and has served as a member of the company's board of directors since 2005.